November 2020 - Mission Newsletter

Hi from Uganda!!!! Many of you will already know that we made it out of Palermo 3 days before strict travel and covid-19 restrictions were implemented.    We travelled through Milan which went into total lockdown, so we are so thankful that God went before us in many ways you couldn't even imagine. We were able to leave our apartment early without penalty or delay.  We were able to donate many of our household items to the refugees & migrants we had met to help them in some small way in their homes. Our travel visas were received within 24 hours and covid testing was booked ahead in Stockholm. We made 4 flights with 3 different airlines and all had different luggage weight allowances, so we were juggling the extra kgs all the way, we even had to leave 6kg of non-essentials at the hotel in Milan!! We had 10 days in Sweden with the family.   Sweden at the time we arrived was the only country in Europe that we could enter without quarantine or isolation, and we could only enter with Italian visa not NZ passport, again thankful God knew all these things before we even left Palermo.  We have since heard that Sweden is restricting travel between regions! We had express covid-19 tests booked in Stockholm with a guaranteed 8hour turnaround, in the end express cost meant nothing, we paid express price and got budget service. 😌The negative results arrived at 8am, in time for checkin and flights at 3pm the same day!! Our flights we had booked to Uganda have free 2year unlimited changes! But glad we didn't have to test the airlines small print lol!!!

At last  day stroll around some of the favourite places in Palermo. Friends to say goodbye to - Sherilyn's regular shops & the Gilmores & Bivona's.

SWEDEN - Great to be back & see the family again - grandies are growing so quickly. A day out & about looking around lovely Stockholm again. Missed seeing Anthea from NZ as she was unwell. We arrived in Uganda to a typical thunderstorm and lightening welcome!! 2 days before Alex & Christine's wedding. So its great we made it here, with not too much trouble in the end, flying during covid-19 times is easy with few people in the airport, but it is extremely stressful on the day as you never know what restrictions will be implemented or if flights will even go! Little bit of culture shock to start with, no electricity and everything is so simple , no espresso or pastry 50m away 😝, thankful Deane organized the running water in kitchen & shower with a flushing toilet before we arrived!! It was fantastic to arrive 3 days before Alex & Christine's wedding.  They, along with Simon, did such an awesome job organising a fabulous wedding day and reception which was enjoyed by around 75 people.  It was great to see some old familiar faces and meet some new people too. Deane didnt have to wait long for the opportunity to get up and preach - there is an english service at 7.30am (everyone gets there around 8.30am, thats if it doesnt rain.  The Lugandan service is at 9.30am but starts at 10.30am.  The singing & dancing are fantastic!! PROJECT #1 A new boundary fence to keep the neighbours chickens, goats & dog out.  The dog ate all the eggs that were soon to be hatching!! PROJECT #2   A tidy up to the backyard - a concreted area, with block wall for seating and a new verandah over the backdoor to stop the rain pouring into the house!  This area will also be used in the New Year for the sunday school kids! Shade & Shelter for them !   PROJECT #3 The washing area enlarged and paved - Florence & I can enjoy washing the clothes & shoes without the added red clay mud going on everything!!   Enjoying some of our favourite local foods - flag the grasshoppers tho! Deane enjoyed them!

Follow Gospel Hope Ministry on FB https://www.facebook.com/Gospel-Hope-350731998928916/   OR  FOLLOW Deane & Sherilyn on Instagram Graingers5 HAILSTORM First storm Alex & Simon have experienced in the 5 years here in the village - unfortunately the passionfruits & pawpaw trees were shredded and some of the banana plantation flattened! PRAISE & PRAYER     Thankful for :-   Final exit from Palermo, without too much hassle!! easy to say that now LOL!! Continued good health and COVID-19 negative test for travel to Uganda New opportunites  Welcoming people at Lungala Bible Community Church and the village Arriving in time for Alex & Christines wedding Please pray for :- Social Media ministry which is continuing from Uganda Culture shock - it is sometimes a bit tough living in the village & missing the home comforts of Palermo apartment life!! Our friends and the Refugees/migrants in Palermo that have heard the Gospel message Lungala Bible Ministries & Bible Community church and all its members Alex & Christine as they settle into married life G1 work permit to stay in Uganda Good health Wisdom with Projects and Ministry in 2021 Updated Contact details:- Deane  + 256 780 517 039 whatsapp Sherliyn+ 256 781 844 358 whatsapp Postal Address:  C/- Lungala Community Bible Church Ltd P O Box 73225 Clock Tower, KAMPALA, UGANDA - EAST AFRICA